Young children’s interest-driven information practices
Information and Learning Sciences
ISSN: 2398-5348
Article publication date: 21 July 2022
Issue publication date: 15 August 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore young children’s information practices within the context of their individual interests, examining children’s interest-related information activities, challenges encountered and enablers received.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants included 18 children between five and seven years of age and their parents. Data were collected using a multi-stage participatory approach. Children shared their experiences via a book discussion, poster activity, participant-generated photography and a photo-elicitation interview. Parents provided information about family demographics and their perceptions of their children’s individual interests, information practices and digital media use via questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method.
Findings
Young children seek information via print and digital objects, other people and experiences, and use information by applying it to their activities and sharing information with others. Challenges to information activities include children’s own capabilities and skills, constraints of information sources and parental restrictions on their activities. Enablers include affordances of technology and parental support.
Originality/value
This study takes a holistic approach to understanding young children’s perspectives of their information activities, examining information use and sharing activities in addition to information seeking.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Drs. Ross Todd, Marie Radford, Vikki Katz and Roger Hart for their guidance and support in developing this study, as well as the children and parents who generously gave of their time and energy and allowed her to learn from them. This study was supported by a dissertation support grant from the Department of Library and Information Science at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Citation
Barriage, S. (2022), "Young children’s interest-driven information practices", Information and Learning Sciences, Vol. 123 No. 7/8, pp. 371-398. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-03-2022-0037
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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